Arrangement for open profile lengths

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for open profile lengths intended to permit them to be connected together to produce a channel structure which is closed around its periphery. Profile lengths of identical execution are connected together to produce a closed channel structure. Two profile lengths of identical execution, each of which has its own flange with the desired external form and a number of connecting elements projecting from a common base are so arranged, with their channel-shaped spaces facing towards one another, as to be connected together through the interaction between the flanges and connecting elements.

The present invention relates to an arrangement for open profile lengthsintended to permit these to be connected together to produce a channelstructure which is closed around its periphery.

The principal object of the present invention is, in the first place, tomake available an arrangement of the kind referred to above, which,amongst other things, permits profile lengths of identical execution tobe connected together to form a closed channel structure which lendsitself to use in lighting applications, for example, without the needfor the production and storage of profile lengths of different kinds,and which also lends itself to being executed with a desired externalform.

Said object is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance withthe present invention, which is characterized essentially in that twoprofile lengths of mutually identical execution, each of which has itsown flange with the desired external form and a number of connectingelements projecting from a common base, are so arranged, with theirchannel-shaped spaces facing towards one another, as to be connectedtogether through the interaction between said flanges and connectingelements.

The invention is described below as a preferred illustrative embodiment,in conjunction with which reference is made to the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a profile length in accordance withthe present invention, viewed at an angle from below;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a upturned profile length, viewed atan angle from above;

FIG. 3 shows a section through two assembled profile lengths;

FIG. 4 shows a channel section attached to a support;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a channel section incorporating LEDs;

FIG. 6 shows a further example of a channel section fitted with LEDs,viewed at an angle from above; and

FIG. 7 shows said channel structure viewed at an angle from below.

So-called "open" profile lengths 1, 2, which can exhibit a desiredlength and can consist of aluminium or some other suitable metal, oreven of a plastic material, and which are so arranged as to be capableof being connected together to produce a "closed" channel structure 3along the effective external periphery of the profile lengths, comprisean arrangement 4 which permits two profile lengths 1, 2 of mutuallyidentical execution to be connected together to produce a channelstructure 3 of the aforementioned kind, thereby avoiding the need forthe production and storage of profile lengths of different kinds. Saidarrangement 4 involves each profile length 1, 2, which can be producedby a previously disclosed method, for example by extrusion, having itsown external flange 5 with the desired external form which it is wishedto impart to the assembled closed channel structure 3 and also a numberof outgoing connecting elements 7, 8, 9 projecting from a common base 6for the profile length.

Two mutually identical profile lengths 1, 2 are thus so arranged as tobe capable of being connected together, in the positions I and II inwhich they are turned so that their channel-shaped spaces 10 facetowards one another or at least face towards a common imaginary plane 11situated between said two profile lengths 1, 2, through the interactionbetween said flanges and outgoing connecting elements 5, 7; 8, 9; 9, 8;7, 5.

Said formed flange 5 may appropriately exhibit rounded form, asillustrated in the drawings, or may have some other angled form whichdeviates from straight form, intended to permit it to be connected toholders 12 so arranged as to engage around both the assembled channelstructure 3 and a support 13, for example in the form of a tube, a postor a beam of some other kind. The holder 12 can be executed in the formof a divided holder 12A, 12B, which engages closely around the structure3 and the support 13 to either side of a clamping bolt 14.

One end 6A of the base 6 of the profile lengths may appropriatelyexhibit a base flange 15, which is so arranged as to constitute anextension of the closely-fitting connecting flange 5 on the secondprofile length 1, 2.

One of said connecting elements can be constituted by an essentiallystraight flange 7, which can be accommodated in the space 10 within aclosely-fitting connecting flange 5 in a complementary profile length 1,2.

Arranged on the side 5A, 7A of each lateral flange are connectingdevices 16, 17 which are capable of interacting with one another inpairs for the purpose of retaining the two profile lengths 1, 2 inquestion in the positions III, IV next to one another in relation to oneanother, and said connecting devices can appropriately be formed from anarea of greater cross-section 16, 17 projecting laterally from theassociated flange 5, 7, which area of greater cross-section extends forthe desired distance in the longitudinal sense of the associated profilelength.

A number of connecting elements 8, 9 on each profile length 1, 2, whichproject from the base 6 of each profile length, are so arranged as todivide the internal space 10 of the channel structure into a number ofsubsidiary spaces 10A, 10B, 10C extending in the longitudinal sense ofthe channel structure, the function of which will be described later.

Connecting elements 8, 9 can also be executed respectively as female 9and male 8, strip-shaped components, as shown in the drawings.

Because of the essentially plane form exhibited by the external surface6B of the base of the profile length facing away from the profilelength, the profile length is able to accommodate LEDs 18 and a casingbracket 19 for a diode lens 20 in appropriate holes 21, so that theassembled channel structure 3 can be utilized for lighting applications,primarily as decorative lighting and/or boundary lighting. A previouslydisclosed diode arrangement may be found, for example, in SE PatentApplication No. 8501110-4.

A wiring conductor 22 for said LEDs 18 can be arranged inside theinternal space 10B of the channel structure, where it is accommodated insuch a way as to extend along the structure for series and/or parallelconnection as desired, and for connection to a suitable power supply andcontrol unit, etc.

The connection of two profile lengths 1, 2 to one another is madepossible either by their being moved in a direction 23, 24 towards oneanother and into a position in which they are turned so that theirrespective spaces 10A-10C face towards one another, such that theconnecting devices 16, 17 engage behind one another and hold theassembled closed channel structure 3 together, or by their first beingpositioned slightly displaced from one another at the level at which itis intended that the two profile lengths 1, 2 should be connectedtogether, whereupon they are displaced relative to one another in theirlongitudinal sense 25, 26, so that the connecting devices 16, 17 aresituated behind one another without snapping, and so that the flanges 8,9 are situated adjacent to one another in pairs.

Dismantling of the channel structure 3 is effected in the reversesequence to that outlined above.

Said spaces 10A-10C in the structure 3 are able to function partly as anaccommodating space for various conductors and other devices, althoughthey also constitute an effective moisture barrier and thus effectivelyprevent dampness from finding its way in easily into the centre of thestructure.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiment described above andillustrated in the drawings, but may be modified within the scope of thePatent Claims without departing from the idea of invention.

I claim:
 1. Arrangement for a pair of open profile lengths (1, 2)forming a closed channel structure (3) comprising:first and secondsubstantially identical profile lengths (1, 2), each profile length (1,2) having a base (6) with a first and a second end (6A, 6B), an externalflange (5) extending from said base (6), an outgoing connecting element(7) extending out from said base (6), a base flange (15) extending fromsaid outgoing connecting element (7), a longitudinal connecting elementdevice (17) projecting substantially perpendicular to and outward fromsaid outgoing connecting element (7), a longitudinal connecting elementdevice (16) projecting substantially perpendicular to and inward fromsaid connecting element (5), said outgoing connecting element (15) ofsaid first profile length (1) being engageable with said external flange(5) of said second profile length (2) by the interlocking of saidconnecting element devices (16, 17) engaging with each other, furthercomprising a longitudinal male (8) and a longitudinal female (9)connecting element disposed on each of said profile lengths (1, 2), saidlongitudinal male and longitudinal female elements (8, 9, respectively)projecting substantially perpendicular to said base (6) and beingdisposed between said external flange (5) and said outgoing connectingelement (7), said longitudinal male and said longitudinal femaleelements (8, 9, respectively) of said first profile length (1) beingengageable with the corresponding longitudinal female and longitudinalmale elements (9, 8, respectively) of said second profile length (2),whereby, upon engagement of said first profile length (1) with saidsecond profile length (2), a plurality of discrete longitudinal spaces(10A, 10B, 10C) are formed.
 2. Arrangement for open profile lengthsaccording to claim 1, wherein said external flange (5) is curved. 3.Arrangement for open profile lengths according to claim 1, wherein saidexternal flange (5) is angled with respect to said base (6). 4.Arrangement for open profile lengths according to claim 1, wherein saidbase (6) has holes (21) for receiving light-emitting diodes (18),support brackets (19), or the like.
 5. Arrangement for open profilelengths according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal spaces (10A,10B, 10C) are adapted to accommodate electrical conductors (22).